At ChemREADY, we look to keep our customers as informed as possible with the ongoing world of water management. Below you’ll find links to articles on various water management related to topics ranging from how to properly audit a water management plan to treating legionella in your facility. These articles are written by our staff to help you make the most informed decisions about your treatment options. Learn more below!
Water is essential in healthcare settings, not just for basic hygiene but also for complex medical procedures and device processing. Recognizing its critical role, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has introduced ST108. This standard evolves from its predecessor, AAMI TIR34. This new standard marks a significant advancement in defining water quality parameters, underscoring the integral link between water quality and patient safety.
With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, ChemREADY has developed a reputation for delivering high-quality water treatment solutions to clients across various sectors, including mining, manufacturing, and in recent years, legionella audits, water treatment plans and chemical treatment of systems located in healthcare facilities. Waterra’s product and service portfolio are complementary to ChemREADY’s current offering. Both companies provide advanced water and wastewater treatment chemicals, equipment and on-site service programs to industrial facilities in order to maintain sustainable, safe and compliant water management processes.
Legionella bacteria can become a serious health concern when they grow in building water systems like domestic hot and cold-water systems, potable water tanks, decorative fountains, cooling towers, evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems, even hot tubs or ice machines. Most people contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling the bacteria from water droplets when around these systems.
As of January 1, 2022, the Joint Commission’s new Environment of Care standard mandates these plans. Because the Joint Commission is now conducting inspections of healthcare facilities on behalf of The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, facility management teams can expect more scrutiny of their plans. Now is the time for facility executives to audit and correct weaknesses in plans and processes.
COVID-19 may be top of mind these days, but facility managers should remember another type of infective pathogen: Legionella, a bacteria commonly found in restrooms, showers, water fountains, and ice machines. Failure to follow regular maintenance routines will expose owners to litigation should an occupant contract Legionnaires’ Disease, a super pneumonia that-like COVID–can be deadly.
